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Question

How to debug file sharing access denied problem?

Jun 6, 2012 5:02AM PDT

I have some computers set up for peer-to-peer (i.e. workgroup) networking, and I created a folder on one of them and made it into a shared folder.

Strangely, even though I give several users explicit permission, they are unable to access the folder. The only way to make it work is to give "everyone" permission.

All the computers have the same set of user accounts with same user names and passwords.

Is there any tool that can tell me why access is denied so I can fix the problem without blindly checking every settings?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
What are you trying to achieve?
Jun 7, 2012 5:28AM PDT

It depends what you are trying to achieve.

From what you say it seems you have managed to set up file sharing across all the computers for that folder you created with permissions for 'all users'. That's a great start because home networks can beat many users.

XP permissions are difficult to manage and I won't pretend I know anything about it, but if it now works, what more do you need?

Mark

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to share the folder with my staff only
Jun 7, 2012 8:50AM PDT

It is used in an office environment with other people on the network that I don't want access to this folder.

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Then it gets difficult
Jun 7, 2012 9:49PM PDT

I can't step you through this because my own knowledge of permissions is woefully low, but I can post some resource links which will helpfully explain the problems and guide you through what you need to do.

http://www.zdnetasia.com/establish-the-correct-file-sharing-permissions-in-windows-xp-39049730.htm

http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874 - Note, this offers a "Fix it" one button click. I doubt you want that but instead scroll down further to see what the steps are.

I hope they help. It would seem to me that whilst the folder is set to be shared, if you only want certain other users to be able to share particular files off this computer, you will need to set permissions for each individual file.

Mark

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Answer
Just me and my command line method.
Jun 8, 2012 6:28AM PDT

I always check the permission with CACLS and it's variants (XCACLS, others.) But it seems to scare folk when you open a command line windows. Maybe it was a bad choice to use black as the background. Maybe folk are afraid of the dark?
Bob